KCCI's Ben Jordan reported Ryan Collier, 35, was put in a police van about 4:15 p.m. in the 5100 block of Waterbury Road.

He was found hiding under a woman's Mercedes.

"All of a sudden we looked out the window and we see like six cops grabbing some guy," said Doreen Blunck, homeowner where Collier was found.

Blunck and two other people watching the capture from inside her home were scared Collier had a gun.

"Well, it was kind of terrifying to be perfectly honest because I was like, 'Oh my God, I hope he doesn't shoot us all.'"

After he was wrestled to the ground and handcuffed, police did not find a weapon on him and Collier said the following:

"I would like to know what I'm being arrested for."

Collier was taken to the Polk County Jail. He's charged with harassment, domestic assault and interference with official acts.

Police were conducting a search of the area for Collier who left the school on foot after making threats about having a gun about 2:20 p.m.

Merrill Middle School is at 5301 Grand Ave.

THE SEARCH:

The search was being conducted in the area of Grand Avenue, Ingersoll Avenue, Waterbury Road and Country Club Blvd. -- an area northeast of the school.

KCCI's Steve Karlin reported that an officer had seen the man leaving the school shortly after the incident, running through the Waterbury Road and Country Club Blvd. area.

Des Moines police, Polk County deputies, Windsor Heights police and others helped with the search. Dogs were brought to the area to help with the search.

The officers were heavily armed and moved yard-by-yard searching for Collier.

When he was spotted near the area of the school again about 3:45 p.m., people still at the school were moved back inside. A teacher inside the school said about 150 parents and children waited inside the school until the situation was resolved.

Police advised residents in the area to stay inside their homes and to watch for, report any activity in their yards.

SCHOOL LOCKDOWN:

School officials said the incident started when a parent was followed by a man to the school about 2:20 p.m.

The man claimed to have a gun, but did not show one. He asked the woman to leave the building with him, but she refused.

Des Moines police spokesman Sgt. Jason Halfix said the man made threatening comments while inside the school. The school's security officer was called and the school was placed on lockdown.

The man left shortly after hearing the alert about the lockdown, police said. No children or staff were injured.

They were held inside the school until about 3:15 p.m. Other schools in the area, Hanawalt, Hubbell and Roosevelt were also temporarily placed on lockdown.

STUDENTS RELEASED TO PARENTS:

Dozens of parents showed up at Merrill and waited to pickup their children. There were many emotional reunions, KCCI's Laura Nichols reported from the scene.

Parents said the school maintained good communication throughout the incident.

One parent told KCCI that he received three calls from the school to let him know what was going on.